As the leaves begin to turn and fall settles across Fluvanna County, local artists will open the doors to their creative spaces for the Fifth Annual ARTS of Fluvanna Studio Tour, taking place Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, 2026.

Sponsored by Bama Works, FindFluvanna.com, Lori Click of RE/MAX, Staiger Studio, T&N Printing, The Lake Monticello Community Foundation, Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, Jen Sample of Long & Foster, Gia Italian, Blue 53, El Vaquero West and E.W. Thomas Market, the free, self-guided tour invites visitors to explore 14 local studios and meet 21 artists. Organizers are excited to announce five new artists to the tour this year, adding to the weekend that offers a look at the remarkable variety of creativity found throughout Fluvanna.

“Visitors will meet artists working with wood, hot lamp glass, metals, stained glass, oil, mosaic, printmaking, mixed media, plus pottery, jewelry and fibers, with an opportunity to buy directly from artists,” said ARTS of Fluvanna Board Chair Diane Wilkin. 

Visitors can enjoy the changing colors of the fall landscape as they travel through Fluvanna’s rural roads and communities from one creative stop to the next. Studios on the tour will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, giving visitors plenty of time to create their own itinerary and explore the county at their own pace. The two-day format was created in response to feedback from previous visitors who found it difficult to visit all of the studios they wanted to see in a single day, Wilkin said. 

Artists have also welcomed the additional time to connect with visitors and share their work. More than just a chance to shop for beautiful, handmade artwork, the Studio Tour offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process. Visitors can step inside working studios, see where art is made, talk with the artists about their inspiration and techniques and experience the personal stories behind their creations.

For those who want to make a game of their artistic adventure, the free Studio Tour Passport Program offers another incentive to explore. Nearly 200 people participated last year, with visitors who stopped at multiple locations receiving a chance to win a $50 credit toward art purchases. Organizers noted that many additional visitors toured studios without turning in a passport.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter of the local arts community, looking for something new to explore or simply want to spend a fall weekend discovering the people and creativity that make Fluvanna special, the ARTS of Fluvanna Studio Tour offers a unique way to experience the county. Come meet the artists, see where creativity happens and find something beautiful to take home and enjoy the journey along the way.

Free copies of the Studio Tour map are available at local businesses throughout the county and online. The map makes it easy to plan a route and discover artists throughout the county. Five of the participating studios are located inside Lake Monticello and are easily accessible to non-residents. Visitors simply need to enter through the Main or Turkeysag gates and let the gate guards know they are participating in the Studio Tour. Other studios are located near the lake, while additional stops are spread throughout the rest of the county.